Current Actions

Take Action to Support the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023

Mon, 22 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

NAAPIMHA is asking all advocates to join us in urging Congress to pass the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023 (H.R.3432), legislation that would remove barriers to high-quality, virtual mental and behavioral health care for Medicare beneficiaries.

According to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, of the 25.4% of Asian adults with a mental illness who utilized mental health services in 2021, 6.2% accessed these services through telemental health. Telemental health expands access for mental health support for Asian adults who are often faced with barriers to mental health-care seeking particularly due to stigma and shame over using services and the lack of accessible, affordable, culturally & linguistically competent mental health care.

During a time where studies report one in two Asian Americans feels unsafe because of their ethnicity and 75 percent of Asian older adults in New York are afraid to leave their homes as a result of anti-Asian violence, it is vital we push for legislation which ensures that patients can fully leverage telehealth to get the care they need from home.

Bottom Line: Removing barriers to high-quality, virtual mental and behavioral health care for Medicare beneficiaries will ensure patients can fully leverage telehealth to get the care they need from home.

The Ask: Cosponsor and support the passage of the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023

Support resolution condemning the horrific shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay California

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

On March 7, 2023, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Anna Eshoo (CA-18) introduced H.Res.200 condemning the horrific shootings that occurred in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California, in January of this year. The shooting in Monterey Park left eleven dead and nine injured, and the Half Moon Bay shooting killed seven people and injured one.

The resolution honors the memories of those who lost their lives in the assaults and expresses sympathy for the impacted family members and communities. The resolution also reiterates a commitment in Congress to help Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and all communities nationwide, prevent gun violence.

Support resolution designating May 10, 2023 as National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

In 2021, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) introduced the first congressional resolution to recognize May 10th as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day. This resolution calls upon Members of Congress to promote national awareness of mental health issues unique to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and urges State and local health agencies across the nation to improve the quality and availability of mental health services for this population.

This year, the national resolution was introduced again in the House of Representatives on May 10th (H.R 385) and for the first time in the Senate (S.205). Amidst a rise in anti-Asian racism and violence, it is crucial to celebrate and center the mental health and wellbeing of AANHPI communities nationwide.

Take Action to Support the Implementation of 9-8-8 Act of 2023 & Local Response Act

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

NAAPIMHA is asking all advocates to join us in urging Congress to pass the 988 Implementation Act (H.R.4851) and Local Response Act (H.R. 4974). H.R. 4851 will prioritize and support 988, the new 3-digit dialing code for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). H.R. 4974 will route calls to 988 based on proximity of the callers to the call center while maintaining user privacy. Given that suicide was the leading cause of death for Asian/Pacific Islanders, ages 15 to 24, in 2021, it is essential that our community has access to a standardized crisis response system.

NAAPIMHA knows a readily accessible, culturally competent response system is an essential component of our nation’s strategy for mental health intervention and suicide prevention. Currently, Lifeline is administered in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only. To truly serve the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, which faces a number of cultural and language access barriers, is the least likely to utilize mental health services, and faces unique mental health challenges as a minority community, Congress must provide much needed federal implementation guidance and resources to enable states to establish their 988 systems and align crisis services.

Bottom Line: In July 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the nation’s main connection point to suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use crisis response services became accessible through a new three-digit dialing code (988). Additional funding and supports are essential to bolster the 988 systems and align crisis services.

The Ask: Cosponsor and support the passage of the 9-8-8 Implementation Act of 2023 (H.R.4851) and Local Response Act (H.R. 4974)

Tell Your Elected Officials: AANHPI Mental Health Matters!

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Email your elected officials to introduce yourself and to share with them the message that dedicating mental health services for the AANHPI community MUST be a national priority.